23 Dec 2022

And Then, Have Good Daze...

  No excuses for repeating myself so just to wish all who do me the honour of glancing through the Foggy Mirror from time to time a very happy Christmas and New Year. Yeah, I know; just be strong for yourself, your family and friends.
   Sing along, sing loud and proud...

   And for those who do business on the sea, get home safely okay?

DESIDERATA
Max Ehrmann, 1921

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labours and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

   And that so stay well and I’ll see y’all on the flip-flop.

Addendumadodad: And into my head popped a final thought for the New Year. Why did Captain Ranty go and leave us? Can you imagine the joy{?} we’d have had reading his take on the crazy times we’ve endured these past two, three or more years? Continue to rest easy Captain. You’re still missed by many.
”Trust no-one. Especially if they have any 'authority'. They will lie. They will make mistakes. They will ride rough-shod over you. And they will be wrong. A lot of the time, they will be just plain wrong.”

Quote:  Percy Bysshe Shelley.

“Rise like Lions after slumber
In unvanquishable number
Shake your chains to earth like
dew
Which in sleep had fallen on you
Ye are many - they are few.”

4 comments:

  1. Amen to Captain Ranty. He didn’t know how much he was needed.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Timbotoo,
    Ain't that the truth. Man, his Blog would've blown the Internet up by now.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Amen to all above. Especially re Capt. Ranty. His rants are needed.
    Does any one have news of David Duff, Parachute Reg., retd. and latterly of Duff and Nonsense. A lovely astute man suddenly.........

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous,
    Amen in so many ways. As to news of the others you mention I have vague recollections of the names but that is all I'm afraid. Sorry.

    ReplyDelete